Chronology of Notable Occasions and Events

First Port regulations issued by Lt. Pedder, the first Harbourmaster.

First recorded successful action against pirates, when several boat-loads of heavily-armed pirates captured by Water Police party under the command of Mr. A. Lena, the Assistant Harbourmaster.

First police ‘gun-boat’ (sailing vessel with crew of 17). Did ‘good work’ until lost with all hands in typhoon in September 1848.

Indian Police Constable Barker Alley was shot and killed during a melee with a suspected pirate junk. His death was the first recorded death of a Water Policeman on duty.

‘Merchant Shipping Act’ promulgated.

Registration system for local vessels introduced.

First ‘Floating Police Station’ moored in Harbour. System of continuous patrolling in five patrol areas introduced (formerly only central Harbour area patrolled continuously).

Large sailing gunboat brought into service. Joined shortly afterwards by the units first steam gunboat.

Regular patrols of outer territorial waters introduced (lasted until the lease of the New Territories) to prevent incursions.

Hulk of the barque ‘John Adams’ commissioned for use as Water Police Headquarters.

Police and Harbour Office duties combined in outstations at Yaumatei, Aberdeen, Stanley, Shaukeiwan and East Point. Mainly intended as an anti-piracy measure, but Water Police Inspectors had extra powers as 'Inspectors of Ships' and did much Harbour Office work.

Second experiment with steam-launches, when a number of vessels were hired for harbour duty. These vessels were probably those later brought into service for use by the boarding Inspectors.

Hulk ‘John Adams’ caught fire and became total loss. Burnt-out hulk later sunk by torpedo from H.M.S. ‘Merlin’.

New Water Police Station in Tsim Sha Tsui opened and remained in situ until the new Marine Headquarters (MHQ) moved to Sai Wan Ho in 1996.

Water Police Basin and Dockyard opened on what is today the site of the Marco Polo Hongkong Hotel. The facilities included moorings for steam launches and a ‘floating fire engine’.

Introduction of steam pinnaces for regular Harbour patrols. Rowing patrols were still carried out, but the greater effectiveness of the new vessels meant that over 40% of the junior ranks could be transferred to the Land Force.

Several outbreaks of Bubonic Plague in the territory. The Water Police were heavily involved throughout this period in checking vessels in HK waters and enforcing quarantine regulations on vessels from Macau, Guangzhou and Shantou; where the epidemic was worse.

Major disturbances in Harbour by loaders and barge workers. Water Police much involved in the supervising of and occasionally the actual movement of lighters in the Harbour. A number of Naval personnel were sworn in as ‘Special Constables’ to assist during this time.

First full-time Engineers and Stokers taken on strength (some had previously been employed on a temporary basis in 1870 and 1878-79).

The first large steam vessels commissioned to patrol new waters when the New Territories was leased to Britain.

Major problems with piracy and gun-running.

Water Police Basin sold to Kowloon Wharf & Godown Co., and money raised used to purchase land at Kowloon Point for new terminus of Kowloon-Canton Railway. Water Police Dockyard moved to larger premises at Yaumatei, while mooring facility at Tsim Sha Tsui replaced by a large police pier next to the new Railway Station (in use up to the 1970’s).

Cheung Chau Station attacked by 50 pirates. One Indian Lance Sergeant, two Indian PC’s and two pirates killed. This led to the building of a new station in a defensible position.

Establishment of ‘River Steamer Guard Force’. Attached to Water Police.

Officer in command at Tai O (Sgt T. Glendinning) killed by Sikh PC running amok. Wife and baby rescued by crew of PL 2.

Major re-build of Water Police Station, with an extra storey being added between the two towers and all round the courtyard – the last major works on the building.

Numerous piracies and disturbances of all kinds (mainly attributable to the generally unsettled condition of China at the time).

Several major arms seizures made by Water Police during the year.

Yaumatei Water Police Slipway transferred to the Harbourmaster’s Department together with a number of technical posts (only the Mechanical Inspector/Marine remains today of the previous Water Police posts attached to the Dockyard). Became known as ‘Yaumatei Government Slipway’ (YGS) until replaced by present Government Dockyard (GD) in 1972.

Radio (Wireless Telegraphy) brought into use between Water Police Station and Cruising Launches (first vessel fitted : PL 4). Radio not introduced in the rest of the Police Force until 1946.

PL 10 went aground in the Shenzhen River above Lo Wu. Crew under fire for some six hours before surrendering. Finally extricated by diplomacy and a company of infantry, but party digging launch out took five days.

Piracy of steamer ‘Sai Kung’ off Tai Long Wan (one Indian piracy guard killed) interrupted by PL 2. Long chase across Sai Kung Peninsula before pirates finally cornered and captured by crew of PL 4 on Tap Mun (two pirates later hanged).

Joint CID/Water Police ambush of pirates attacking distillery near Kwai Chung. Three pirates (including leader) killed, one drowned, one wounded (who died later) and four captured.

Norwegian steamer ‘Prominent’ captured by pirates but intercepted by PL 4. Shots exchanged and ship and crew rescued, although pirates escaped.

Battle off Ninepins between PL 4 and a pirate vessel which had captured a cargo boat the day before and taken three hostages. One pirate wounded, another captured, hostages rescued. OC PL 4 got medal, other members of the crew commendations.

Major typhoon. Inspector A. Wright (OC Water Police) awarded Governor’s Commendation for (new) PL 1’s rescue of all on board Steam Ship ‘Sunning’ when she was wrecked at the height of the typhoon. Great feat of seamanship. Officers and crews of PL’s 3 & 4 also commended for saving life.

Numerous incidents on the edge of HK waters brought about by Sino-Japanese War. Many rescues of HK (and Chinese) fishing boats from Japanese gunboats.

‘The Great Typhoon’ Thousands killed. Three Water Police launches badly damaged, but remainder credited with saving hundreds of lives.

PL 4 got first recorded heroin smuggling case (five pounds of heroin). Court put prisoners on $50 bail which they immediately ‘jumped’.

Water Police ‘Q-Ship’ commissioned : sailing junk manned by disguised policemen looking to be pirated. No pirates captured, but rumours of ship’s existence stopped piracy.

Bishop Valtorta (Roman Catholic) rescued from Sha Yu Chung by PL 1 while escaping from Japanese.

Battle for Hong Kong. Water Police mainly involved in evacuating personnel and dependents from Islands (under air attack) and then the retreat from Kowloon. Launches scuttled but mostly raised intact and used by Japanese. MHQ used as Japanese Naval Headquarters.

Re-occupation of MHQ. Many launches recovered intact in Hong Kong and from Guangzhou and the Pearl River Delta.

Explosion on PL 3 (boiler blew up), destroying launch and killing ten of her crew. Vessel had only been back in service 2-3 days.

PL 4 sunk by mine off Peng Chau (near Lantau). Seven crew killed.

PL 16 (New Harbour Tugboat) sunk in collision with steamer ‘Tai Po Shan’ in Harbour. Inspector and two crew killed.

Major raid on the last recorded pirate stronghold actually within Hong Kong territory (Lung Kwu Tan, near Castle Peak). Raid not an outstanding success (one wounded pirate captured), but the pirate leader (LAU Chun-ping) fled Hong Kong and was never seen again.

Official English title of Water Police changed to ‘Marine Police’ (Chinese name remained the same).

PL 1 piracy off Port Island, Mirs Bay, during which Inspectors Olivier and Haynes and Corporal WONG Kam were killed.

Shek Pik battle. A gang of pirates who had come ashore to careen their junk clashed with a patrol team from Tai O before being cut off from the seaward by PLs 3 & 4 and then being surrounded by PCs rushed out from MHQ. One killed, ten captured.

Last remaining three-pounder gun from pre-war gunboats recovered from dockyard and mounted at MHQ.

PL 25 (18 ft Tai O Station motorboat) stolen by a Chinese room-boy at Tai O and taken to Lap Sap Mei.

British Royal Naval motor launch shelled in the Pearl River by Peoples Liberation Army (PLA) artillery. Seven killed and five wounded out of crew of 14. Towed in to Tai O by PL 17 (which had replaced PL 25).

Introduction of the first of the legendary ‘Seventy-footers’ (PLs 26, 27 & 28).

Opening of new Police HQ at Arsenal Yard. Whole North Wing given over to new Harbour Police Station, together with commodious wharf. Wharf lost to reclamation of Gloucester Road in 1960, Station to PHQ in 1972.

Riots occurred. Principal Marine involvement consisted of a riot company deployed to North Kowloon and a launch (PL 29, under Inspector Peter Clarke) to guard the San Miguel Brewery for three days during the ‘Battle of Tsuen Wan’.

PL 23 (former seaplane tender) sank in Harbour. Replaced by new PL 24 (Thorneycroft launch built in Singapore).

Reorganisation and expansion of command due to rising Illegal Immigration.

3-pdr gun mounted at MHQ swapped for “Jardine’s Gun” (a 6-pdr) which was in turn mounted at MHQ.

Major influx of Illegal Immigrants (I.I). ‘Operation HASLEMERE’ inaugurated.

Last recorded action at sea (between PL 2 and a ‘Man Ping’ junk off Mirs Point) in which launch main armament was used. Three Marine Police wounded. Man Ping casualties not known, but believed to be higher.

Marine Police becomes ‘Marine District’ in its own right. New PLs 1 & 2 brought into service, and Operational Bases opened at Tai Lam, Aberdeen and Tai Po Kau.

‘Star Ferry’ riots. Marine provided a riot company which took decisive action in Nathan Road and contributed in large part to the ending of the disturbances.

Major riots triggered by the social unrest in China. Much Marine involvement in the settlement of the disturbances throughout the year.

Thai International Airways Caravelle jet airliner crashed in Harbour. PLs 1, 2 and 3 much involved in rescue of survivors and subsequent action.

PC ran amok with Sterling SMG on MD 29 (Marine Department launch in Police colors and manned by Police) in Deep Bay. All crew members wounded, Corporal YAM Kam-kau and Cook CHAN On killed.

Series of confrontations between Police launches and PLA naval vessels over II’s.

‘Queen Elizabeth’ (under new colors as ‘Seawise University’) destroyed by fire off Stonecutters Island. Marine Police much involved in operation (PL 10, a 45 ft Harbour tug-boat, rescued 150 people in one load).

The traditional ‘Marine’ uniform was dropped, and the lawn at MHQ was covered with ‘temporary’ barrack huts.

Hong Kong Marine Police included for the first time in “Jane’s Fighting Ships”.

Arrival of ‘Huey Fong’ with 3,318 Vietnamese refugees aboard. This inaugurated the great influx from Vietnam.

Major influx of II’s from China and Vietnam led to the ‘Marine Expansion Plan’. The Small Boat Unit was formed as a result.

Arrival of over 100 sailing junks carrying some 4,000 Hai Feng and Lu Feng people escaping from rumours of an impending earthquake : ‘The Earthquake Fleet’. They were persuaded to return home in time for the earthquake.

‘Marine District’ became ‘Marine Region’.

Inspector M.S. Hurley killed after falling overboard from a police vessel.

Crash of C.A.A.C. jet airliner in Kwun Tong Typhoon Shelter. Six passengers / crew killed.

Disturbance in Tai Ah Chau Vietnamese Boat People (VBP) detention camp.

Disturbance in Chi Ma Wan VBP detention centres.

Police Constable CHAN Kun-pun passed away from injuries sustained during an Anti-Smuggling Operation on the night of the 4th of June when a high-powered smuggling vessel rammed his police vessel in the Tolo Harbour.

Set up of Anti-smuggling Task Force to combat the increase in smuggling activities.

Station Sergeant BUT Yim-chiu sustained critical injuries during an Anti-Smuggling Operation off Lamma Island when his police vessel was rammed by a high-powered smuggling vessel. He passed away in hospital a day later.

Sergeant LO Taun Kaun sustained critical injuries during the routine checking of a fishing vessel off Sai Kung and later died in hospital.

Marine Western Waters and Marine Eastern Waters Districts were formed.

Removal of Trial Maintenance Unit (TMU) from Canton Road. Government Dockyard (GD) to Stonecutters Islands following the re-location of the latter. The GD provides almost 80% of service to Police Fleet against Government vessels.

Marine Western Waters District and Marine Eastern Waters District changed to Marine Port District and Marine Outer Waters District. Port District consisted of Marine South Division, Marine Harbour Division and Cheung Chau Division. Marine Outer Waters District consisted of Marine East Division, Marine North Division and Marine West Division.

Lantau Island was separated from Marine Region and became a District of NTS Region.

The Anti-Smuggling Task Force and Small Boat Unit were combined to form the Small Boat Division.

MHQ was moved to Sai Wan Ho base on 1996.11.26.

Reversion of sovereignty to China on 1997.07.01.

Senior Police Constable KONG Wing-fat whilst working onboard a police launch was trapped by a crane sustaining injuries which resulted in his death.

Collision of the offshore supply vessel Neftegaz-67 and the panamax bulker Yao Hai off the north coast of Lantau. The Neftegaz-67 capsized and sank resulting in the loss of 18 of her Ukrainian crew.

The Small Boat Division marked the 30th Anniversary of the formation of the original Small Boat Unit.

Versatile Maritime Policing Response strategy was launched.

Introduction of the Sha Tau Kok Forward Operating Platform in Starling Inlet to interdict illegal immigration and smuggling.

Launching of the Sea Safety Guarding Angels Scheme in Marine East Division.

Collision of the ferries Lamma IV and Sea Smooth off Lamma Island resulting in the sinking of the Lamma IV and death of 39 persons. 

Opening of the new Yung Shue Wan Police Post on Lamma Island.

Marine Tier II Internal Security Company deployed to assist land formations deal with the Occupy Central Movement. 

Events to mark the 20th Anniversary of the return of Hong Kong’s sovereignty to the People’s Republic of China which culminated in a visit to the HKSAR by President Mr. XI Jinping.  Marine Region was heavily involved in both the events and maritime security for them. 

Opening Ceremony for the Police Launch Simulator in the Marine Police Training School.

The HKSAR was subjected to a prolonged period of extremely violent social unrest and as part of Operation TIDERIDER, Marine Region mobilized its manpower to operational tasks both ashore and at sea.

The Region took delivery of eight new Multi-Mission Interceptors for use by the Small Boat Division.

Ceremony for the Unveiling of Marine Region’s Noonday Gun following its restoration. 

Commissioning Ceremony for New Vessels (8 Multi-Mission Interceptors and one High Speed Interception Training Boat). 

During an Anti-Smuggling operation off Sha Chau a high-powered smuggling vessel rammed a Small Boat Division Multi-Mission Interceptor causing it to capsize resulting in the death of Chief Inspector (Posthumous) LAM Yuen-yee.

The 180th Anniversary of the Establishment of the Marine Police